NFL Week 15 Recap

So, to the one or two of you who actually read this, let me recap:

I picked against my Jets, and they won. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers quarterback is perhaps the most clutch quarterback in the league, so when he was driving down the field at the end of the game after the Jets couldn't burn time on the clock, I was sure he would will the Steelers to a victory like he had done so many times, most recently in Baltimore. I was incorrect. Perhaps the Jets can make some noise in the playoffs this year....yeah right. (0-1)

Chargers beat the Niners, who, at 5-9 still can win their division. And who wouldn't love a to see a 7-9 49ers team host defending champion New Orleans in the wild card round? (1-1)

Peyton Manning reverted back to Peyton Manning and the Jaguars reverted to their also-ran status as they failed to make any significant gains rushing against a suspect Colts defense. Maybe next year, Jacksonville (or should I say Los Angeles?) (2-1)

I can't believe I picked the Texans over the Titans. In reality, I was going to pick the Titans, but then I realized my ex was a huge Titans fan, and coupled with Randy "Team Killer" Moss, I thought it best to go with the choking, playing for a paycheck Houston team. I am in good company not really caring about this game, considering Jeff Fisher and Gary Kubiak didn't really care either. (2-2)

I picked the Dolphins, even while making fun of them. The only reason I don't hate the Dolphins more than I already do is because the Patriots are so good. If New England and Miami had identical records, I would hate the Fish more. Yes, I am still lingering resentment over Dan Marino and that fake snap. (2-3)

Hoping against hope a team from the NFC West would finish the season at worst 8-8, I picked the Rams against a Chiefs team who doesn't seem to know they are destined to lose in their first playoff game, no matter how good they are, post-Montana. Seriously, remember when they had Dante Hall and went 13-3? No? Don't worry about it. Remember when they won the division in 1997 and then got their butts kicked against Denver, who went on to win the Super Bowl? No? Don't worry about it. (2-4)

I am never picking the Browns ever again. I guess I still have a soft spot for Eric Mangini. The Bengals only showed up because, well... because it was the "epic battle for Ohio." Yeah... that's it. (2-5)

A few weeks ago, I said I liked Joe Flacco the most out of any young quarterback. He went to the AFC Championship Game his rookie year in 2008, and followed that up with a win at New England in the wild card round last year. It is no shock to me the Ravens knocked off the Saints, who, at 10-4 are flying under the radar. Seriously, this time last year, how many stories, how many pictures of Drew Brees and his hot wife, how many Brees jerseys and bandwagon Saints fans were popping up? The answer: millions. Where are they now? (2-6)

I picked the Giants over the Eagles, and felt pretty secure with this pick when it was 31-10. In my preview I lauded Michael Vick and his accomplishments and his MVP talk. Perhaps I should listen to my own words and follow them. (2-7)

I had the Cowboys over the Redskins, not that it really matters. Do you realize both Dallas and Washington are 5-9, and officially higher in the standings than the 49ers, but are eliminated from the playoffs while the Niners, who play at St. Louis and home against Arizona in the final weeks only need to win those games and have the Seahawks lose either next week at Tampa Bay or home against the Rams to win the division? (3-7)

Speaking of terrible, how did the Bucs lose to the Lions? They remind me of the 1997 Jets, the first year of their recent respectability under then-new coach Bill Parcells. They went 2-6 in the division, went 9-7 and only needed to beat the Lions the final week of the season to make the playoffs. They didn't, but the next year they were in new uniforms and the AFC Championship Game. Maybe next year Tampa!! (3-8)

Jimmy Claussen played for his job in Charlotte against the Cardinals, but by being 2-12, his Panthers still have the inside line for the number one draft pick next year. With a heavy quarterback class coming out, he'll need a win or two more to secure a starting spot for 2011. (4-8)

I picked the Raiders, even before I knew Tim "Even Jesus bought my Jersey" Tebow was starting. I love Tebow, and was a huge mark for the guy at Florida, but the more I see him, the more I realize he doesn't have the tools to be a pro quarterback. He should go back in time, join the 2008 Dolphins and ride the Wildcat wave for a year and a half and then fade into obscurity while coaching at TCU or Baylor or whatever school is affiliated with whatever church he belongs to. (5-8)

The Falcons are legit, and they have all but locked up home field advantage throughout the playoffs with the win in Seattle and the Saints' loss in Baltimore. Saints 2.0 host Saints 1.0 on the biggest Monday Night Football Game since the Ass-Kicking in Foxboro a few weeks ago. Matt Ryan is money at home, so I wouldn't bet against them. (6-8, inching towards respectability...in the NFC West)

I really wanted my prediction of a Patriots victory to have been wrong. Matt Flynn played great, and almost made it so, but alas his inexperience on the big stage (a fluke BCS Championship, when he wasn't even the best quarterback on his team) not withstanding, caught up with him on the last drive. What a waste of time that game was. Tom Bundchen should have had that game won in the first half so I could have gotten on with watching Hot Fuzz for the millionth time instead of entertaining the idea the Patriots are stocked with a roster of humans, instead of Kryptonians with bad haircuts (Benjarvus Green-Ellis and Mr. Bundchen, I am looking at you.) (7-8)

Jay Cutler and the Bears won their division on Monday night in a game I knew Brett Favre would somehow con his way into. Why? With all of the unnecessary hype surrounding the game (Stadium-gate: the unfolding drama of the future of the Vikings,) with his streak snapped, Mr. Sexting would not let himself go quietly into that goodnight, he needed to latch on and be part of the story. Once I knew Favre was starting, I knew my (8-8) record was clinched, as was my second NFC West title in a row.

Thankfully, being in Reno puts me in the NFC West where my 8-8 record wins the division, but with the New Orleans Face Moles coming into town on a quest for a repeat, Commissioner Roger Goodell changed the Sunday 4pm Eastern time to Saturday night. Not showing up due to pregame celebrations hosted by Eugene Robinson at a casino downtown, BWB was forced to forfeit the playoff game.